The Government of Fiji will host the third meeting of Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry 2021.

According to Mahendra Reddy, Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, meeting the standard set by Samoa and Vanuatu, who delivered the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Pacific Ministers meeting.

“We thank the Pacific Ministers of agriculture and forestry for allowing Fiji to host the biennial,” he said.

He added that their objective in hosting the next meeting is to take the benchmark to a higher level.

“We hope showcase Fiji’s agriculture and where we have taken it and also show the pacific region what we have been doing in terms of addressing climate change within the agriculture sector.”

The Pacific Ministerial meeting is one of the main events for the Pacific Week of Agriculture (P.W.A.) where agricultural and forestry leaders from around the Pacific gather to discuss major challenges and solutions facing agriculture and forestry.

The two events are organised by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (F.A.O.) and Pacific Community (S.P.C.).

One of the key outcomes was for the Pacific region to focus on healthy diets by growing nutritious agricultural produce to combat obesity.

Samoa's Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopaoo Natanielu Mua, stressed the need for action against the increasing number of Pacific countries whose populations have high incidences of obesity.

In a previous statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, when a country rates highly in possessing excellent food and nutrition security, then it is a country that is regarded as having a contented people.

“However, over consumption of food can also be challenging," she said. 

“As key decision makers and influencers, your work and concerted efforts ensure sustainable food systems and well-coordinated multi-sectoral actions, including in the implementation of our Food and Nutrition Framework.”